Protective cage construction for light fixtures



April 23, 1963 P. A. JONES 3,087,054

PROTECTIVE CAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR LIGHT FIXTURES Filed Oct. lo, 1960 PRES TON ,4. JONES United States Patent O 3,037,054 PRTECTVE CAGE CONSTRUCTN FOR MGI-1T FIXTURES Preston A. Jones, San Rafael, Calif., assigner of one-hail? to Wallace D. Runswick, Berkeley, Caiif. Filed Oct. 1t), 1960, Ser. No. 61,606 4 Claims. (Cl. 2410-102) This invention relates' to light fixtures of the type in which the globe is `disposed Iwithin a protective cage structure, and is particularly directed to an improved light fixture cage construction which is arranged for ready opening to permit removal of the globe from the fixture.

In light fixtures which are intended for outdoor lighting or for industrial application it is usually `desirable that the globe of the fixture be enclosed within a protective cage structure to lessen the susceptibility of the globe to breakage. The cage must be arranged to permit access to the globe such that it may be removed from the fixture for purposes of light bulb replacement and the like. Heretofore, it has been necessary to remove the cage in order to gain access to the globe, hence amounting to a substantial disassembly of the fixture. Hence the mere replacement of a light bulb in such a fixture -has been a tedious and time consuming operation.

lt is therefore `an object of the present invention to provide an improved light fixture protective cage construction that facilitates ready access to the globe while remaining in assembly with the fixture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a light fixture cage structure of pivotally articulate construction such that it may be readily opened to afford access to a globe enclosed therein.

*It is a further object of the invention to provide a cage structure of the class described that is readily detachable from the fixture.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, lwill be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a light fixture embodying the protective cage structure of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken at line 2 2 of FIGURE 1 and depicting the cage structure in open condition to facilitate access to the glob-e.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken at line 3 3 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating particularly the manner in which the cage is detachably connected to the fixture.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken at line 4 4 of FIGURE l and illustra-ting particularly the pivotal connection between several segments of the cage structure.

Referring now to the drawing, particularly FIGURES l and 2 thereof, there is seen to be provided a light fixture 11 which is primarily intended for outdoor use, and is of the type having a light diffusing globe 12 enclosed within a protective cage structure 13. The fixture includes a vertically disposed base member 14, preferably of open backed rectangular box construction. A hollow globe suspension member 16 of rectangular cross-section projects normally lfrom the upper end of the base member and carries a globe receptacle 17 at its outer end for mounting the globe 12 in substantially parallel position relative to the base member. EMore specifically, the receptacle is of inverted cylindrical cup configuration and is internally threaded as indicated at 18 for threadably receiving the globe. The globe is in turn provided in the form of an elongated tapered cylinder having an externally threaded neck 19 projecting from its enlarged end for engagement with the receptacle threads 18. The globe may hence be screwed into the receptacle to removably secure the globe to the fixture.

A light bulb socket 21 is mounted on the base of the receptacle and its input conductors are led through a conduit 22 which extends through the suspension member 16 and into the open back of the base member 14. A light bulb (not shown) mounted in the socket 21 is hence concentrically enclosed within the globe 12 when the globe is engaged Vwithin the receptacle and access to the bulb for replacement .is facilitated by unscrewing the globe. However, the globe is enclosed within the protective cage structure 13 which is secured to the face of the base member 14. Therefore, in order to unscrew the globe in yorder to gain access to the light bulb, the enclosed globe must first be rendered accessible.

Heretofore it has been necessary to remove the entire protective cage structure from about the globe of the fixture in order to render the globe accessible. This has been of course disadvantageous from the standpoint of convenience as well as the time involved. To overcome this difliculty in the present fixture 11, I have arranged the cage structure y13 for selective opening without requirement of removal from the fixture so as to facilitate access to the globe in a highly expeditious manner. More explicity I have provided a cage structure of articulate construction which includes opposed semi-cylindrical latticed side segments 23, y24 pivotally secured to an interconnecting circular latticed base segment 26. One side segment 23 is secured by fastening means 27 to the face of base member 14 in partial enclosing relation to the globe 12. The base segment 26 and other side segment 24 may hence be pivoted upwardly into respectively end closing relation and partial enclosing relation to the globe, the pivotal side segment 24 being then opposed to the fixed segment 23 to form a closed cylindrical cage 4about the periphery of the globe and closed at the lower end by the base segment 26 (see FIGUR-E '1). Upon downward pivoting of the segments 24 and 26 relative to segment 23, the cage `is hence opened over one-half of its cylindrical periphery and at its lower end to afford access to the globe (see FIGURE 2).

Considering now the articulate cage structure as to preferred construction it is to be noted that each of the side segments 213, Z4 includes a semi-circular collar 28 adapted to engage the periphery of the globe receptacle 17 at its lower end with the collar being in end abutment with the rim of the globe when it is engaged in the receptacle. A pair of longitudinal struts 29, 31 then depend downwardly from the collar on opposite sides of its arcuate center, the Istruts being curved slightly outward from the collar at their upper ends in order to clear the peripheral surface of the globe. Similarly, a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal `struts 32, 33 depend downwardly from the opposite ends of the collar in like fashion as the struts 29, 31. The longitudinal struts 29, 31 and 32, -33 are then interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced semi-circular bands 34, the lower one 34 of which interconnects the lower ends of the struts and is disposed so as to be substantially circumjacent the lower end lof the globe. The like side segments 23, 24 may hence be placed in opposition with their respective struts 32, 33 in abutment to form a cylindrical configuration. In order that the abutments of these struts of the respective `segments be extremely intimate, the struts are preferably provided with detents 35 arranged to engage registering recesses 36 in the opposite struts with which they abut.

The base segment `26 is provided in a somewhat analogous manner to the side segments 23, 24. More acerbes 3 specifically, a plurality of concentric rings 37 are interconnected by U-struts 3S, 39 which extend across and are aliixed to the rings, each strut having opposed inwardly turned ends 4.1 and 42 aligned with the longitudinal struts 29 and 31 respectively of the two side segments. In addition a parallel cross U-strut 46 extends across the rings 37 in right angular relation to the struts 3S, 39, the upwardly turned ends of the strut 46 being adapted to abut the semi-circular lower bands 34 of the respective side segments in alignment with the struts 32 and 34 thereof.

As regards the details of the pivotal connections between the side segments and base segment, it is to be noted that a pair of pivots 47 are provided between the lower ends of s-truts 29, 31 of side segment 23 and the ends 4 of base segment U-str-uts 3S, 39. Similarly, a. pair of pivots 5.1; are provided between the lower ends of struts 29, 3-1 of the other side segment 24 and the ends 42 of the U-struts 38, 39. The pivots 47 are similar to the pivots :1, one of which is shown in detail in FIGURE 4 and accordingly the ensuing description of pivot 51 likewise applies to the other pivots. The pivot 5I is preferably provided by means of an inverted U-shaped journal box 52 which is secured to the side section strut 31 at its point of intersection with the lower band 34'. The opposite interior sides of the box are provided with projections 53 at their upper inner corners, the projections having an arcuate lower surface 54 extending substantially 90 and defining a bearing surface. An axle pin 56 then projects from one side of the box in concentric relation to the corresponding bearing surface v54,. The upstanding end 42 of the base segment U-strut 39 is formed with cylindrical bearing hubs 57 on its opposite sides arranged to engage the respective bearing surfaces 54 and abut the opposite sides of the journal box. One hub includes a central aperture 58 for receiving the axle pin 56, and in order that the aperture may be readily engaged on the pin, a slot 59 is provided in the side face of the strut end d2 which extends downwardly from the aperture and opens `at the front edge of the strut end. With the hubs 57 engaging the bearing surfaces of the journal box and the pin engaged by `the slotted aperture, a pivotal connection is hence provided which permits movement of the pivoted members through an arc exceeding 90.

In order that the pivotal segments y23, 24, 26 be releasably retained in a closed condition defining a cylindrical cage enclosing the globe 12, appropriate fastening means are provided to detachably secure the opposed side segments together. To this end, the struts 32, 33 of the side segment 23 are respectively provided with tapped bores 61 at their upper ends in spaced relation to the collar 2S. Such tapped bores receive screws 62 which extend through bores in the corresponding struts of the opposed segment 24 at positions of registry with the bores 6l. Accordingly, the screws may be engaged in the bores to secure the cage segments in closed cylindrical condition enclosing the globe. Upon merely disengaging the screws, the side segment 24 and base segment 26 are hence freed for pivoting to their open positions thus facilitating access to the globe.

Considering now the fastening means 27 for securing the cage segment 23 to base member 14, it will be appreciated that such means should be capable of rigidly supporting the entire cage structure and yet be readily detachable from the base member to facilitate removal of the cage structure `for purposes of repair and the like. To these ends the fastening preferably includes a rectangular box member 63 projecting from the front face of the base member 14 and having an open front for receiving a clamp member 64. The clamp member includes a hollow cylindrical body 66 closed at its inner end and having a diameter substantially equal to the transverse spacing between the sides of box member 63. At the outer end of the clamp body 66 there is provided an outwardly iiared .rectangular iiange 67 which has its edges inwardly turned .as indicated at 68 for engagement with the sides of the box member. The flange and box, moreover, are dimensioned such that the flange fits through the interstice between the parallel spaced struts 28, 31 of side segment 23, the sides of the ange contacting the facing sides of the struts. In addition, the flange is provided with laterally projecting side wings 69 at its outer end yfor engaging the distal sides of the struts relative to the base member 1d. With the clamp member 64 extended through the interstice between the struts Iand into the box 'member 63, a rigid connection is afforded by a bolt 71 extended through the closed ends of the members and the front wall of the base member 14 into threaded engagement with a nut 72 at the open inner end thereof. The struts are thus rigidly engaged between the front edges of the box member and the wings of the clamping member thereby supporting the entire cage structure. To remove the cage structure it is only necessary to disengage the nut 72 yfrom the bolt 71.

There is thus provided by the present invention a caged light iixture in which the protective cage structure is constructed in a unique pivotally articulate manner such that the cage may be readily opened to aiford access to the globe enclosed therein. The globe may hence be removed from the iixture without requirement of prior removal of the cage.

What is claimed is:

1. In a light iixture having a bulb enclosing globe secured to supporting base structure, the combination comprising a pair of opposed semi-cylindrical latticed cage segments disposed about the periphery of said globe, one of said segments -secured to said base structure, a circular latt-iced base segment disposed in closing relation to the end of the cylinder defined by said opposed semi-cylindrical segments adjacent the closed end of said globe, said base segment pivotally connected at opposed positions respectively to said semi-cylindrical segments, and means for releasably securing said semi-cylindrical segments together in opposed relationship.

2. In a light fixture of the type having a cylindrical socket carried by sup-porting base structure and receiving a cylindrical globe, the combination comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical latticed cage segments disposed in facing abutment to define a cylindrical cage peripherally disposed about the globe, each of said segments having a semicircular collar adapted to enga-ge the periphery of said socket with longitudinal struts extending at least from the opposite ends of the collar 'and from positions spaced on opposite sides of its arcuate center to a semi-circular end band disposed about the end of the globe, each of said segments further having semi-circular intermediate bands connecting said struts at positions intermediate the collar and end band, said segments having the struts at the ends of their respective collars in facing abutment, fastening means securing one of said segments to said supporting base structure, a latticed base segment disposed in closing relation to the ends of said segments adjacent the end of said globe, said base segment having a plurality of concentric rings interconnected by U-struts with their ends in abutment with the end bands of said semi-cylindrical segments, a pair of said U-struts being disposedwith their opposite ends aligned with the struts of the respective semi-cylindrical segments at said positions spaced on opposite sides of the arcuate centers of their collars, pivot means connecting the ends of said pair of U-struts to said struts of the semi-cylindrical segments aligned therewith, and means for releasably securing said semi-cylindrical segments together in facing abutment.

3. The combination o-f claim 2, further defined by said pivot means each comprising a U-shaped journal bracket secured to one of said struts of said semi-cylindrical segments at its intersection with said end band, said bracket having a corner projection on each of its interior side faces with an arcuate inner bearing surface extending through one of said interior side faces having an axle pin projecting therefrom in concentric relation to 'the corresponding bearing surface, and a pair of hubs formed on opposite sides of the end of the corresponding U-strut in engagement with said bearing surfaces, one of said hubs having a central aperture engaging said pin.

4. A light -xture comprising a vertical base member having a horizontal suspension element projecting from `one end, a cylindrical globe receptacle depending from the end of said suspension element, ya cylindrical globe removably secured within said receptacle, a light bulb socket secured in said receptacle for mounting a light bulb within sai-d receptacle, a light bulb socket secured in said receptacle `for mounting a light bulb within said globe, a pair of latticed semi-cylindrical cage segments disposed in facing abutment to dene a cylindrical cage peripherally enclosing said globe, each of said segments having a pair of parallel longitudinal struts spaced on opposite sides of the arcuate center of the segment, a -boX member disposed adjacent the face of said base member and having an open end, -fa hollow cylindrical clamp member having a closed end disposed within said box member 2() and a rectangular il-ange at its opposite end with inwardly turned side edges engaging the interior -side faces of said box member ladjacent its open end, said flange extending through the interstice between said struts of one of said segments and engaging ythe facing sides of the struts, said 'flange having laterally projecting side wings `at its end engaging the distal sides of said struts relative to said box member, a bolt extending through the closed ends of said clamp member and said box member and through the face of said base member, a nut threadably engaging the end of said bolt, a circular latticed base segment d-isposed in closing relation to the lower ends of said semicylindrical segments `adjacent the lower end of said globe, said base segment pivotally connected to said semi-cylindrical ysegments at the struts thereof, and means for releas- Iably securing said semi-cylindrical segments together in facing abutment.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 699,817 Russell May 13, 1902 797,872 Spencer Aug. 22, 1905 2,259,237 Baker et al Oct. 1,14, 1941 2,291,906 Kollath Aug. 4, 1942 2,376,316 Schwartz May 15, 1945 

1. IN A LIGHT FIXTURE HAVING A BULB ENCLOSING GLOBE SECURED TO SUPPORTING BASE STRUCTURE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SEMI-CYLINDRICAL LATTICED CAGE SEGMENTS DISPOSED ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID GLOBE, ONE OF SAID SEGMENTS SECURED TO SAID BASE STRUCTURE, A CIRCULAR LATTICED BASE SEGMENT DISPOSED IN CLOSING RELATION TO THE END OF THE CYLINDER DEFINED BY SAID OPPOSED SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SEGMENTS ADJACENT THE CLOSED END OF SAID GLOBE, SAID BASE SEGMENT PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT OPPOSED POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY TO SAID SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SEGMENTS, AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SEGMENTS TOGETHER IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP. 